Clutch



Jan. 21, 1936. G. l. GOODWIN CLUTCH Filed Feb. 2v, 1951v` s sheets-sheet 1 B L Q hf Q Jan; 2l, 1936. G. l. GOODWINI CLUTCH V Filed Feb. 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 dig/ Jan 21, 1936- 5.v l. GOODWIN 233285389 CLUTCH Filed Feb. 27, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 2'1, 1936 UNITED ,STATES4 PA'IIEINTv ori-ICE liy invention relatesto clutches, particularly to c utches for automobiles, and the primary aim and object of my invention resides in the provi sion of simpliedclutch mechanisms in which I have incorporated numerous improvements ad novel features.

A clutch mechanism of the character as I have disclosed inA the present case may be broadly defined by stating that the same is a mechanism n for optionally coupling a driving member in driving engagement with a driven member. In case of an automobile, the clutch mechanism is disposed between the driving member of the engine Y (which may be the y-wheel carried by the crank 5 shaft) and a driven shaft. y 4

The clutch comprises, generally speaking, a. driven member which is in relatively .loose coupling with the driven shaft.V This driven member ,maybe brought into frictional or other engage- ;o ment with the iiy-wheel in order to transmit the driving force from the iiy-wheel to the driven shaft. The mechanism for accomplishing this result includes a force peculiar thereto for maintaining the aforementioned driven member in 55 driving relation with the'fly-wheel. Means are provided for operating this mechanism whenever idisengagement of the clutch is desired, and when this means is actuated, the mechanism will be operated against the force of the means which :Q maintains the clutch in engagement, andthe driven member which isv in loose coupling with the driven shaft and in frictional or other engagement with the ny-wheei wm disengage trie latter.

In the constructions disclosed in the present i5 case, Ihave provided a driven member -which may be a plate or disc of the flexible type, mounted ona hub member which is `ndwise movable on a splined portion of the driven shaft. Mounted on either side of the outer portion of this driven i plate Aare frictionmembers'. This driven plate- 'is disposed next to the ilywheel, and the friction menber or members on one side thereof may engage a, friction 'surface on the ily-wheel when v,the clutch is in engagement.l When this is the 45 case, the driving force will bel transmitted directly fromthe fly-wheel to the driven disc or plate and from there to' the driven shaft by means of the hub which engages the splined section on the driven shaft.

50 Disposedl on the other side of the driven plate is the clutch'operating'mech nism. It comprises a pressure plate adaptedto engage the friction member or members on the driven plate, a plurality of levers pivotally connected with the pres- 55 sure plate, spring means disposed between the' pressure plate and the levers and reacting against the same, and abutment means for providing reaction bases for the'various levers in their operating movements.` Due to the action of the spring means, the levers will tend to move away from the pressure plate, and this tendency of the levers vwill be opposed by the reaction bases on the abut' ment means against which the levers react in the clutch engaging motion. These abutment members are mounted on the fly-wheel. Therefore, '10 the action of the spring means of :the clutch will result in depressing the pressure plate against the'friction member on the outer portion of the driven plate, and this plate will be pressed against the friction surfaceJ on the .fly-wheel. Driving relation between the vfly--wheel and the driven shaft is thus secured. The clutch-is in engagement.

A thrust bearing is provided on a sleeve which surroundsthe driven shaft. This thrust bearing, or throwout bearings, as it is sometimes called. may. be of the carbon\ graphite, or of the wood block type, or of any other suitable type. It .may be actuated through a bracket lever system 'when' disengagement of the clutch is desired, and when v this is the case, the thrust bearing will move,

`will .engage the levers and depress the same against the force of the spring means to disengage the clutch. Y Y

During this disengaglngoperation, the levers may react either directly against the iiy-wheel or against certain abutment members mounted on the iiy-wheel, and the moving-o1' the levers, by

the thrust bearing, against the forcev of the spring means, will vresult in lifting the Ipressure plate V out of engagement with the driven plate,` The latter will, therefore, disengage the friction surface of the fly-wheel. 'I'he transmission of drivv ing force will be discontinued. The clutch is disengaged. l v 40 Numerous vstruictural and functional-points must be considered in connection with such a I clutch. I have enumerated below some .of the salient points which are of importance, either from "the production pointv of view, or from the operating standpoint, so that the more'detailed discussionv of my invention which is yet to follow 'inay be easily understood and appreciated.

Each part must be designedso as .to be easily fabricated, easily assembled in cooperation with other parts, and so constructed that the clutch renders reliable service.

The purpose of the spring means is to hold the clutch in firm and reliable engagement. This ref) quires considerable force. On the other hand,

it is undesirable to employ unduly heavy springs for accomplishing the desired result. I have therefore provided a lever system whereby the force of the spring means is multiplied for clutch engagement, and yet so that disengagement can easily be accomplished.

Another consideration to which I wish to call attention at this point is the problem of heat production due to slippage. Some means must be provided for conducting excessive heat away from the clutch mechanism in order to cool the same.

There are, generally speaking, two ways in which this can be accomplished. l,

In accordance with one general scheme, special clutch cooling means may be provided for forcing a draft through the clutch. This means may take the form of fins or blades attached t'o certain moving parts, or louver means suitably disposed, for catching the air and for forcing the same through ,the clutch mechanism.

'I'he other general schemeproposes to dispense with special cooling provisions and proceeds on the theory that the clutch should be designed so as to radiate heat eflciently.

I have designed my clutch structures, and every part therein, in accordance with the latter general scheme. The clutches shown in this application are open clutches, and the parts are designed so as to limit the production of heat, to prevent transfer of heat from one part to the other, and to promote the radiation of heat to the outside. It

is, of course, understood that special draft means as intimated above may be provided if desired.

'I'hese three general pointsziamely, the de- 'sign of all parts in accordance with principles of eflicient production, assembly and operation; the

problem of sufficient force forclutch action solved by an eiflciently operating lever system; and the problem of clutch cooling, are broadly speaking,

at the base of thenovelfeatures and improvements which I disclose in the present case. A I shall now briefly enumerate some of the salient objects and features so that the detailed description and the appended` claims may be readily' understood and appreciated.

One of the objects of my invention relates 'to Ja clutch mechanismcooperating with a driving member and/,having levers which react against said driving member during their clutch operating movement.`

'Another object is concerned with a clutch mechanism cooperating with va driving member and having`levers which react againstr said driving member during vtheir clutch disengaging movement, and abutment means attached to said driving member for cooperating with said levers as reaction bases therefor during the clutch engaging movement thereof.

A further object-has to do with a clutch mech- -anism having `a pressure plate cooperating with a driven member for coupling said driven member with a driving member, levers on said pressure plate, reaction bases for said levers mounted in said driving member and registering'with -the surface thereof, and other reaction bases for said Vlevers mounted on said driving 4member opposite `said -rst reaction bases.

notches on said driving member and serving as reaction bases for said levers during the clutch engaging operation of said mechanism.

4Another object relates to a clutch operating mechanism comprising a pressure plate, levers and spring means cooperating with said plate, said spring means being mounted on said levers and reacting against said plate. y

A further object is concerned with a clutch operating mechanism comprising a pressure rplate, levers, springs mounted on said plate and reacting against said levers, and means cooperating with said plate and with said levers for locking said mechanism in unitary assembly when dismountcd from said driving member.

I have enumerated above the salient objects and features of this case. Other objects and features will appear as the description progresses.

- Now, in order to acquaint others with the invention audits several features, I shall describe the saine with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

. vFigure l shows a cross sectional side'view of a clutch mechanism operating with a :dy-wheel of the pot-type;

Figure 2 isr an end elevationl of the embodi-V ment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3.is a partial edge view of, the mechanism, illustrating particularly an abutment cooperating with the y-wheel and with an operating lever; A y

Figure 4 isa cross sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, with the exception that I have provided notches or slots in the ange of the pot-type flywheel, each for receiving an extension of the pressure plate and the lever cooperating therewith. The abutment in s embodiment is a simple strap mounted across eachI slot of the ilywheel; Figure 5,is a fragmentary elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 4;

Figures 6 and "i in cooperation with a lever and a pressure plate in which the spring is mounted in thepressure plate and reacts against the lever; and

Figures 8, 9, and 10 represent three views of another type of spring cooperating with a pressure plate and a lever, wherein the spring is mounted on the lever and reacts against the pressure plate. l

Referring nowmore particularly tothe embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the nu- `meral l designates a fly-wheel which may be mounted on an engine crank shaft. This ilywheel is of the so-called pot-type; that is to say,

are two views of a spring type it has not a plane surface, but is provided with f a flange, as indicated in Figure 1 by the reference numeral 2. Rotatably journaled in this iiywheel and extending coaxially therewith is a driven `shaft 4, being journaled in a'bearing which This hub is provided with a. flange 9,'and attached to this flange by means of rivets such as is diagrammatically indicated at 3. This driven I0 and Il is the driven plate or disc l2. `This y driven 'plate may be of the flexible type and attached toits outer portion may be the friction members indicated in the drawings by the refera,oas,ssa

ence numerals I3 and I4. Thus, ythe driven plateI f I2 carrying these friction members I3 and I4 is in loose engagement with the drivenshaft 4. y Direct .driving relation between the driving member (ily-wheel I) and the driven member (shaft 4) will be accomplished when thefriction member I3 establishes and maintains engagement with the-friction surface on the ily-wheel.

The mechanism for bringing about the engagement of the friction member I3 of the driven plate I2 with the friction surface of the ily-wheel, comprises the pressure plate I5, operating levers mounted on this pressureplate and projecting substantially radially toward the center thereof,

such as the levers I6, I'I, and I8, an operating spring I3 reacting against the pressure plate and against the levers as is shown .particularly in Figure l. and certain abutments which cooperate with the levers and provide reaction bases therefor when the levers are actuated to bring about the engagement or the disengagement of the clutch.

The above intimated clutch operating mechanism is a unitary assembly and the parts which tween the branches cooperate with eachother are disposed and operate as follows:- 1

The pressure plate I5 is provided with a num- -ber of integral extensions which project laterally from vthe outer portion thereof. Each of these extensions is provided with a milled slot, forming such as' indicated in Figures 1 and 3 by the ref-4 erence numeral 26. The reaction portion of each lever is thus brought into. register with the surface of the flange of the 'fly-wheel. This condition' is particularly seen invFigure l, in which it is shown that the reaction section 21 of. the lever and the .levers mounted therein, are iJ-shapedv vand 3|, maybe merels n, n and I8 is in register with the surface 28 ofthe flange 2l of the fly-wheel. Inserts or pegs, such as 29. 30,

ily-wheel where thel levers contact the same. It is not absolutely necessary to use these inserts.

However,

be advisable vto use hardare used) represent the reaction bases for the corresponding operating levers in the clutch disengaging operation thereof. The use.v of hardened inserts, such as 29, 30, and 3|, will bring advantages such as the possibility of exchanging the reaction bases in case the same should be worn down. The wearing' surfaces ofthe various levers, it will be remembered,vmay also be hardened in order-.to increase their durability.

Mounted on the flange of the ily-wheel :over the corresponding extensions) of the 'pressure plate straps suchI as indicated by the reference nul 34. Each of these strapsois attached to the fly-wheei-'by means of suitable' o bolts such as indicated' by the numerals 35-1,

V31---33 and 33-43, respectively. These U-shaped 75 straps vserve as abutments and provide reaction -of the above described assembly.

.44 kand 45 in Figure 1.

provided' irs-the flange of thev when the same are employedA as re be employed.

fore be depressed against the Vfrictionv member I4 on the driven plate I2. Accordingly, the friction member I3 will engage the friction surface on thefly-wheel andthe driving relation between the driving member and the driven shaft will be established and will be maintained as long as no change occurs. v f yI have shown-in Figure 1 a mechanism cooperating 'with the driven shaft 4, which comprises the thrust bearing 4I, and the bracket lever mechanism. grammatically 'indicated lat 42. The thrust g may'be mounted `on a sleeve carried by the driven shaft. The connection indicated by the numeral 43 is attached for the purpose of lubricating the thrust bearing and related parts. Now, when it is desired to disengage the clutch, thebracket lever mechanism 42 will be actuated, the thrust bearing 4I will thereby be moved-toward the inner ends of the levers such as I0, I1, and I3, and will depress these levers against the force of the spring I3.A The levers will ilnd reaction bases, for their corresponding reaction portions, such as 21, either directly on the surface of the flange, of the ilyused) or on the corresponding insert such as 29 attached to the ily-wheel. In either case, the levers reacting against the surface of the fly-wheel will move the pressure plate I5 out of engagement with the friction surface I4, and thereby will release the driven disc I2. yfrom en'- gagement with the frictionsurface ofthe flywheel (if no abutment inserts such as 23 'are wheel. The direct driving connection from the ily-wheel to the driven shaft will thus be discontinued. The clutch will be disengaged. I shall now call attention to various details It will be seen that I have provided, in the' inner portion of the pressure plate I5, radial projections such as indicated by the numerals Several such projections are provided on the pressure plate and extend radially from the inner portionv thereof.`

The spring I9 is mounted on these projections. These projections, therefore, represent an intermittent support for the springv I9, and the area of contact between the pressure 'plate and the spring is thereby reduced. This, of course.' reduces the possibility for the transferof heat from the pressurev plate to the spring, and is a provision made in accordance .withan object of. the invention as recited previously. The other; end ofthe spring I3 reacts'directlylagainst the' hook-shaped inner ends of the levers, such as-l IB and directly contactsl with the levers; There are no operating parts disposed 'between pressure plate I5 and the levers except the operating spring I9.

This operating spring could. obviously be or a different shape than I have shown in thedrawings, and,if desired, 'more than one spring may j For example, itis possible to` employ coiled single v'or compound springsin cooperation with'th various levers and the pressure r plate. Such modifications are within the lim-'075.'

its of my invention. Other spring types may be used will be described later on'.

which At 48 I have indicated .a pin cooperating with,

wheel. The pins willbe insertedbefore remov-L ing the abutments 32, 88 and 34, to lock the levers in place. Y

With the abovedescription of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, in mind, the following description of the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 will be easily understood. In order to avoid repetition, I shall refer mainly to those features o f the embodiment shown'in Figures 4 and 5 which represent structural or func` tional differences over the above described mechanism.

Referring now lto Figures 4 and 5, these figures show a clutch operating mechanism in conjunction with a pot-type y-wheel, as in the previously described easel-but disclose various other improvements. In this particular embodiment I have provided notches or slots such as 58 and 5| in the flange 49 of -the lfly-wheel. Disposed in these slots are the milled extensions of the pressure plate, having the branches 53-54 andl 55-58. lMounted pivotally in each of these ex'- tensions are levers such as 58, 59, and 60. Figure l5 is but a. fragmentary view and shows part of lever 68 while omitting its mounting. 'Each lever is attached pivotally toI the corresponding milled extension on the pressure plate by means of a pin such as 6I and 62, shown in connection with levers 58 and 59. Disposedon projections such as 63 in the inner portion of the pressure plate 1 51, and the inner hook-shaped ends of the levers is the operating spring 64.

During the disengaging operation, ea'ch lever will find a reaction base at the bottom of the corresponding notch or slotin the iiange of the fly-wheel.

the ange of the ily-wheel as shown, -and provide reaction bases for the corresponding levers,

during the clutch engaging,Y action thereof. The

c previously described mechanism.

' When disengagement of the clutch is desired,`

attachment of .the straps -to the ilange of the ilywheel` is by means of bolts, as shown in the drawings. f

If desired, hardened inserts such as 61 may be employed in conjunction with the ily-wheel to provide the reaction `bases for the levers. I

The operation is similar to the operation of th the bracket lever mechanism diagrammatically indicated at 68 will be actuated to move the thrust bearing ,69 and the latter will engage the inner ends of the levers 58, 58, and Il and will move these levers against the force ofthe spring 84; 'Ihe levers will find reaction bases at the shaft relative to thel driving member be discontinued. The mechanism as shown in'Figure 4 is in th vclutch engaging position.f.The spring 84 reacts against. the ends of the levers, tending to more Simple abutment straps such as 65 and 85 are attached across the various slots in designated by the numeral 15. be mounted in extensions on a thesev levers outwardly away from 'the clutch.

The levers find reaction bases in the straps such as 85 mounted'across the corresponding slots in the flange 48 of the ily-wheel and the pressure plate 51 is therefore depressed against the corresponding friction member on the driven plate 10.

The mounting of the spring 64 inthe above described embodiment corresponds to the mounting of the spring in the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The inserts, such as 61, at the bottom of the various slots in the iiange of the ily-wheel may or may not be used as desired. If -these inserts are used, it will be advisable to make them of hardened material so as to have the bene'ilt of exchangeable wearing surfaces for the levers.

'I'he abutment straps connected across the slots in the flange of the fly-wheel may also be suitably hardened in order to increase the durability of the reaction surfaces. The-wearing surfaces of the levers may also be treated to provide for the desired durability.

In the previously described embodiment I have shown a pin which may be inserted into holes in the extensions on the pressure plate and through the lever mounted in the extensions, for main,- taining the assembly of the clutch operating mechanism as a unit when'the same is dismounted from the ily-Wheel. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, I vhave provided a similar pin '1| which extends through the extensions on the pressure plate and is relatively firmly located therein. The lever is Aprovided with an elongated opening .12 through which the pin 1| extends. 'I'he elongated opening 12 will permit movement of the lever with the pin inserted through the ex- .tensions on the pressure plate.- Therefore, the action of the lever in the clutch engaging as well as in the clutch disengaging movementwill notbe interfered with by the pin 1|, and, at the same time, the pin l'Il cooperating with the corresponding extensions on the pressure plate and the lever f A scribed. In the Figures 6 'to 10 inclusive, I have shown certain embodiments of this nature which I will now describe in detail.

Accordingly, in Figures 6 and '7, I have shown a fragmentary view of a mechanism: that is to say, I have shown only a portion of one lever xThls lever may pressure plate 16, in a mannerl as I have described in connection with previously discussed embodiments of the invention. A rat trap type spring such as 1 1 may be `supported by the pressure plate 16,/by inserting 'the ends` 18 and 19 thereof into suitable openings in the pressure plate as showns" The central portion 88 of the spring reacts against the hook-shaped inner end of the lever. l"Each lever is thus individually actuated.

In Figures 8,I 9, and 10 I have shown another type oi' spring, in this case a spring 8i which is mountedon the lever 82 by means of a cross pin 83, and which reacts with its ends 84 and 85 f against the pressure plate 86;

I now desire to call attention to certain peculiarities o f the disclosed structures, and to ments in the structure of detail parts as well as in the entire assembly, show a high 'degree of vmechanical eiliciency which reduces the possibility of slipping to a minimum. Accordingly, the heat production, or rather the possibility for heat production is .also reduced. Transfer of.

heat fromone part to the other is inhibited as discussed in detail, and heat radiation is promoted due to the open structure of the mechanism which ldoes not permit the accumulation of heat in pockets and the like.

I have also mentioned that the'levars are so constructed as to multiply the force of thespring action. `It will'be'observed. that the levers are .unusually long as compared with the length of levers of this in the ordinary clutch structure; This lengthofthe levers tuts down the angle of travel required ofthe lever for any given vor required linear movement of the clutch parts.

' The clutch is therefore adapted to be actuated l with more ease and certainty than is the case with prior structures of this. character. At several plac of the description, I have said. that there are no operating means disposed Pbetween the spring means and the levers, and

. that the spring means. contacts directly with the levers. structure is also shown in the draw- However,`I desire to.l emphasize that I am ings..

aware of certainmodications which may easily becarried out in this respectyand that I wish 401110 include these modifications in the. broad terms which I have employed to describe the structures.

The abutment inserts which I have shown and desmanes to' register with the surface of the nywheel or with the bottom of the notch therein,

respectively, could manifestly be formed so vas to project from the y-wheel-to forma peg or stud against which the. corresponding lever can react. Such change is understood to fall within the meaning of the broad -claims directed to cover this' particular feature.'

. Further modifications, in addition to the ones speciiically. .recited above, are included at va- .rious places throughout the description.. I have not' made' anatt'empt to exhaust the subject of giving different :expressions to the invention. It willbe understood that other and further changes may be devised, in regard-to details as well as in regard to the assembly as a whole, and `I 'there f fore state` that I have shown and' described s pe-v 6o cinc embodiments, and that I have vspecifically 'stated certain modications thereof, for the pur- -pose of showing 'ways of putting the `invention into practical use; but not to show the .limits and the scope of the same.

I intend to followingy claims, in which I havev denedwhat vlbelieve is new and distinguishing over the prior art Vv .claim as myinventionbfl 1. A clutch mechanism for effecting driving en gagement of a driven member relative to a drivcesse's, Ireaction bases As remarked previously',- use the` invention in all such embodiments which may fall within the scope of theduring the clutch-` disengaging action and-directly against said abutment means during the clutch engaging action thereof.

2. A clutch cooperating with a driving member and aidriven member, comprisingoperating .5 means for coupling .and for'y uncoupling said members, lever means cooperating with said voperating means, said driving member serving directly as a. reaction base for said lever means in one direction of movement thereof, and abut- ,.10

' ment means attached to said driving member and cooperating with said lever means as a reaction base therefor in another direction of movement Y thereof. a

-3. In a clutch operating mechanismcooperat- 15 ing with a, driving member and including a plurality of operating levers, hardened inserts acting as reaction bases in said driving. member and registering substantially with the surface thereof for cooperating with saidlevers. and abutment 20 means mounted on said driving member and also cooperating with said levers as reaction bases therefor.

' 4. In a clutch, a driving member having recesses, means serving as reaction bases in saidre- .25

on said driving member projecting therefrom, and lever means cooperating 'with said reaction bases and said first named means for actuating said clutch.

5.l A clutch mechanism for coupling a drivingo jing member with a drlvenmember, comprising a pressure plate, lever means pivotally connected 'with said pressure plate, spring means lmounted.

on said pressure plate and reacting .against said lever means, means for holding said mechanism 35 in unitary assembly, abutment means for said lever .means attachedvto said driving member and projecting therefrom, and abutment means for said lever means inserted in said driving member and registering with the surface thereof. ,40

6. A clutch mechanism-for coupling a driving member with a driven member, comprising a pressure plate, lateral extensions thereon, notches in said driving member for receiving said extensions, lever means pivotally connected with said45 extensions, and abutment means for said lever means attached to said driving member across said notches.

"1. In a' clutch mechanism cooperating with a fiy-wheel having a peripheral axially extending .50

means disposed on said projections vand reacting .50

against said levers, abutment means in the flange of said fly-wheel, one for each lever, for' providing a reaction .base for each ley/er when the same is 'operated to disengage t e clutch, and abutment bracket means mou'n i of said fly-wheel to providega/'flfreactionbase fori each leveniwhen-the same isoperated to effect engagement'of the clutch.

8. In `a clutch mechanism cooperating with a 4-iywheelhaving a peripheral axially. extending 70 flange, apressure plate for effectingengagement l and disengagement of a driven member relative to said fly-wheel, said-driven member being disposed in said fly-wheel between said pressure plate and a friction surface of saidy-wheel. earson 1Q on said flange a5 l said pressure plate extending angularly overthe the center of said clutch, centrally extending projections on said pressure plate-spring means disposed on said projections and reacting against said levers, inserts in the ange'of said iiy-wheel, one for each lever, for providing reaction bases for said levers when the same are operatedvto disengage the clutch, abutment bracket means mounted on the nange of said iiy-wheel for providing reaction bases for said levers when the same are operated to engage Ithe clutch, and means for locking each lever against movement to secure the unitary assembly of said mechanism when dismounted from said ily-wheel. f

9. In combination with a-pot-shaped driving member, a clutch mechanism, comprising a pressure plate, extensions thereon, levers carried by said extensions, a spring carried by said pressure plate centrally thereof, said spring reacting against said levers,

being flush with the surface of said driving member, abutment brackets for each lever attached to said driving member, andmeans for locking each lever to secure the assembly of said clutch mechanism when not attached to said driving 1l. In combination with a driving member, a

clutch mechanism, comprisinga pressure plate,

extensions thereon, levers carried by said exten` sions, spring means carried by said pressure plate, the force of said spring means reacting againstv said levers, inserts in said driving member, one

' for each lever, foriserving as reaction bases ior,y 'said levers in one direction of movement thereof,

abutmentbrackets, one lfor each lever, for attaching said mechanism' to said driving member and for providing a reaction base for each lever in another direction of-movement thereof, and

means for locking said levers against movement to secure said mechanism in unitary assembly when dismounted from said.driving member.

12. A clutch mechanism cooper-ating with a anged fly-wheel, comprisingl a pressure plate, radial extensions thereon, notches in the flange of said iiy-wheel i'or receiving said extensions, levers carried by said extensions, spring means on said pressure plate cooperating with said levers, and abutment straps for said levers bridging said notches in said ily-wheel and attached thereto.

a reactionbase on said driv-v Y ing member for each lever, said reaction bases 13. A clutch mechanism cooperating with a flanged ily-wheel, comprising a pressure plate, radial extensions thereon, notches in the flange of said ily-wheel for receivingsaid extensions,

. levers carried by said extensions, spring means on said pressure'plate cooperating with said levers, and abutment straps bridgingsaid notches in said fly-wheel and attached thereto for holding the mechanism in assembly on said fly-wheel, the

bottom of eachof said notches serving as a re. action base for the corresponding lever in one direction of movement thereof, and said abutment fstraps. providing reaction bases for said levers in the other direction of movement thereof.

14. A clutch mechanism cooperating with a anged fly-wheel, comprising a pressure plate. radial extensions thereon, notches in the :dange of said fly-wheel for receiving. said extensions, levers canied by said extensions, spring means on said Pressure plate cooperating with said levers, abutment strzis bridging said notches in said ilywheel and attached thereto for holding the mechanism in assembly on said ily-wheel, the bottom '.of saidjnotches serving as'reaction bases for said levers in onedirection of movement thereof, and said abutment straps providing reaction bases for said levers in the other direction of movement thereof, and means for locking said levers against movement in either direction to secure the uni- `tary assembly of said mechanism when Vnot mounted on said fly-wheel.

15. In a clutch cooperating with a driving member, apressure plate, extensions thereon,

-levers mounted in said extensions and projecting radially substantially toward the center of said clutch, spring means disposed between said pressure plate and said levers, abutment means v inserted in sa'id driving member for cooperating with said levers as reaction bases therefor, and other abutments mounted on Asaid driving member and cooperating with said levers.

16. In a clutch, an operating member, levers mounted thereon and extending radially thereto,

and a spring for each lever, each spring being mounted on said lever with the ends of said spring anchored to and reacting against saidoperating member, each spring being wholly supported by said operating member and the corresponding lever.

v17. A clutch mechanism for eiecting driving engagement of a driven member.relative to a driving member, comprising a pressure plate,

levers thereon, abutment means therefor, said levers reacting'directly against said driving member during the clutch disengaging action anddirectly against said abutment means during the clutch engaging action thereof, and spring means carried by said pressure plate and bearing against said levers. y

GEORGE I. GOODWIN. 

